Drunk Driving Defense Law Guide, Resources & information

Driving under the influence, drunk driving, or drink-driving, is the act of operating a motor vehicle (and sometimes a bicycle or similar human-powered vehicle) after having consumed alcohol (ethanol) or other drugs, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is illegal in most jurisdictions. Several anti-drink-driving advertising campaigns have aimed to raise awareness of the legal situation and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Drink-driving is responsible for a very large number of deaths, injuries, damage and accidents every year.

The specific criminal offence may be called, depending on the jurisdiction, driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), or drunk in charge [of a vehicle]. Such laws may also apply to boating, or piloting aircraft.

Guilt may be established by subjective tests of the driver's impairment, or measurement of his blood alcohol content (BAC). This is expressed in terms of milligrams of alcohol per millilitres of blood, or as a percentage. (10 mg/100 ml = 0.01 g/100 g = 0.01 %).

Drinking and driving is the act of driving a vehicle after consuming an alcoholic beverage or while consuming one. It is often confused with drink driving and the other terms identified above.

Driving after consuming alcohol is generally not illegal unless the driver’s ability to drive safely is impaired as defined by law.

Know your rights and exercise them for a safe, better future.